Team News

Uzowihe Named Finalist for STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Award

Liberty's defensive end Chima Uzowihe has been named one of 25 finalist for the 2015 STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year award.

Yesterday, Uzowihe became the first player in Liberty history to be named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year.

A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the winner, which is based on the regular season.

The top three vote recipients be invited to the announcement of the winner at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation, scheduled for Jan. 8, 2016, in Frisco, Texas, on the eve of the FCS national championship game.

Uzowihe finished the 2015 season with 52 tackles (34 solo, 18 assisted), including 17.0 tackles for a loss (86 yards) and 8.0 sacks (62 yards). He also added a team-best six quarterback hurries, along with four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

The senior, who is a three-time All-Big South first-team honoree (2013, 2014 and 2015), led the Big South and ranked No. 17 in the country in tackles for a loss (1.5 per game). He also led the conference and ranked No. 18 in the nation in sacks per game (0.73).

The native of Houston, Texas, finished his career with a program and Big South-best 25.0 sacks. His 44.0 career tackles for a loss ranks second in program history and third in the Big South record book. During his four-year career, he recorded 150 tackles (84 solo, 66 assisted), 10 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The senior also tallied four blocked kicks during his career, spotlighted by a blocked field goal attempt on the game's final play against No. 1/1 Coastal Carolina, last year. Uzowihe's fourth career blocked kick sealed a 15-14 upset win over the Chanticleers and pushed the Flames into the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.

2015 STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Award Finalist(Stats through the completion of the regular season)